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The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

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With a standard for luxury that dates back more than a century, it is no surprise that The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel is known for its pomp and pageantry. The luxury hotel now bridges Old World enchantment and contemporary technology.

If that's not enough pampering for you, make your way to Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa, the first of its kind in the United States, where face and body treatments can — and should — be followed up by a visit to the French Paradox Wine Lounge.

Stop by the storied Palm Court for sumptuous afternoon tea, or enjoy a cocktail at The Rose Club or The Champagne Bar. For something heavier, Todd English's European-style Food Hall features a seafood grill, pizza station and more.

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Our Inspector's Highlights

The Four-Star hotel is at the center of it all — at the foot of Central Park and next to the Paris Theatre and the Pulitzer Fountain. Expect to see a few horse-drawn carriages as you pull up to one of the most iconic scenes in the city.

Check out the recently opened Plaza Food Hall by Todd English, located inside the hotel, for a variety of cuisines. Most of the dishes are prepared at kitchens and food stations right in front of your eyes.

Make an appointment at Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa the only Caudalie Spa in the United States, located on the fourth floor of this New York hotel. It specializes in wine-inspired treatments.

If you're traveling with kids, don't miss a stop inside Eloise at The Plaza. The hotel shop inside is based on the popular children's book series about The Plaza-dwelling character Eloise.

One last thing that we love most about The Plaza is perhaps the most important: its history. Open since 1907, the hotel has been a part of the New York landscape for a long time - it's a classic. Its historical significance makes your stay much more interesting.

Things to Know

The Plaza has a rich history with movies and pop culture. Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest was the launch of the Four-Star hotel’s movie career in 1958.

The New York hotel has also played host to many memorable moments in history: The Beatles’ first trip to the United States; Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball; and the debut of modern jazz with performances in the Persian Room by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday.

Afternoon Tea at The Palm Court restaurant is a tradition as famous as The Plaza Hotel itself. The Tea Menu incudes The Classic, The New Yorker, a Chocolate Tea, and The Eloise Tea. The restaurant's dress code is business casual.

The train station that is closest to The Plaza Hotel is either Grand Central or Penn Station. Grand Central is located on the east side of New York, and Penn Station sits on the west side, right next to Madison Square Garden. From either train station, it’s a short cab ride to the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel.

The Rooms

The rooms at The Plaza Hotel are elegant and modern at the same time, designed to mimic the rich and regal style that pervades the rest of the Four-Star hotel.

If you’re looking for a room with a view during your stay in New York, opt for either a Deluxe Courtyard Room or a Signature Room, which has its own private terrace.

As for the décor, expect fresh, colorful flowers and custom-made furniture that perfectly matches the Beaux Arts style throughout the luxury hotel.

Our favorite part of the rooms has to be the bathroom. The mosaic tiling on the wall features inlaid leaf and floral designs — an homage to the New York hotel’s neighbor, Central Park.

The Look

The design style of The Plaza Hotel is traditional and grand. Expect an interior filled with crystal chandeliers, gold and brass-plated fixtures, marble floors, fresh flowers and tall, stained-glass ceilings.

Every room is so ornate in its design, The Plaza feels much more like a palace than a New York hotel. The rooms are illuminated with soft pinks, purples, blues and bright whites.

Large floral displays — including purple and red roses, hydrangeas and orchids — provide added pops of colors against the beige undertones featured in the rest of the Four-Star hotel.

Each area — be it The Rose Club, the lobby, the guest rooms or The Palm Court — has its own signature vibe, but the design scheme is connected throughout.

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